No. 47406

47406 LMS CLASS 3F 0-6-0 16489

Original LMS number 16489 was built by the Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows, in 1926 at a cost of £3,330. It spent a few weeks at Warrington before moving to Crewe South shed, mainly working Basford Hall sidings and the carriage sheds. In October 1928, the engine moved to Carnforth, where it spent almost 32 years.

Designed by Henry Fowler for the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) as a shunting engine and for small passenger and freight duties, 16489 was one of 422 Class 3Fs built and is one of only nine 3Fs preserved.

It was renumbered 7406 in the general LMS renumbering and became 47406 under British Railways. From 1960, 47406 changed sheds several times: Warrington (Dallam) from 1960 to 1963, Manchester (Gorton – formerly a GCR shed) from 1963 to 1965, and Liverpool (Edge Hill) from 1965 until withdrawal.

The locomotive was withdrawn in December 1967 and sent to Barry scrapyard in July 1968 — ironically almost certainly the furthest it had ever traveled from its North West origins.

In 1983, 47406 left Barry scrapyard as the last Jinty to leave but had been heavily stripped for spares. When it was moved, only the frames, cylinder block, wheels, boiler, and some platework remained. Many believed it would never run again.

It was bought by the Rowsley Locomotive Trust and initially moved to Peak Rail headquarters in Buxton in June 1983. After Peak Rail relocated, the locomotive was sold to Roger Hibbert and arrived at Quorn & Woodhouse on 21st December 1989. In 1990, it was placed in storage behind Loughborough shed while Roger completed restoration of LMS 8F 48305. Upon completion, 47406 was moved into the shed for restoration work.

After 20 years of restoration, 47406 returned to traffic on 30th January 2010.

Though small, 47406 is a very useful addition to the locomotive fleet. It consumes less coal than some of its shedmates but has enough power for any duties the GCR requires. It also adds to the line’s appeal, attracting visitors. While some crews have found it tricky to get steaming, a good crew will enjoy excellent days operating it.

On 25th January 2017, 47406 had the honour of officially opening the Mountsorrel Railway, with Prince Charles riding on the footplate. This may have been the shortest royal train ever, with 47406 carrying a royal headcode — possibly the first of its class to do so.

47406 visited many railways during its time running, as for a while it was the only operational 3F. It went out of ticket during lockdown in 2020 and was stored at Mountsorrel Railway Museum. It is now under overhaul.